“Mobile devices have become a ubiquitous and essential technology that so many of us use every day,” said Jinx Walton, the University’s chief information officer. “We’re pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Public Safety in finding new ways to leverage this technology to enhance safety measures.”

All Pitt email accounts are included in the new ENS system by default, and subscribers’ information from the legacy system has also been automatically transferred. However, officials say these subscribers can update their information at any time by using the methods outlined above.

Subscribers also can opt to enter up to three phone numbers to receive voice and/or text alerts. In addition, the system provides the capability to simultaneously distribute emergency alerts via Twitter and Facebook, as Pitt Public Safety deems appropriate.

The system also includes a connection to the mobile app Rave Guardian, which can be downloaded in the Apple App, Google Play and Pitt App stores.

Calling the Pitt Police through the Guardian app allows the police dispatcher to view the caller’s profile, set up in advance by the user after registering a Pitt email address. This can be particularly helpful if the caller is unable to speak. Students, faculty and staff may also now submit tips — anonymously, if preferred — to the Pitt Police through the Send a Tip chat feature of the Guardian app. Tips can even include photo attachments.

Another feature allows app users to set a safety timer whenever they are alone or are in an unfamiliar place. Users can set the safety timer to allow their friends to check their status, with the minimum amount of time set to five minutes. If the user does not deactivate the safety timer before it expires, the app automatically alerts those who have accepted the invitation to view the timer. This allows the friend to then check on the user's safety.

“We can never overcommunicate when it comes to campus safety, and we encourage everyone in the University community to take advantage of these new tools,” said Ted Fritz, Pitt’s associate vice chancellor of public safety and emergency management.

Walid Gellad, associate professor of medicine and health policy and director of Pitt’s Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, is using machine-learning algorithms to predict who is at risk of opioid misuse and overdose.

In a recent study, led by chair of psychology Julie Fiez, researchers taught adults “HouseFont” — a hieroglyphic-like language based on photos of homes — then scanned the language-learning areas of participants’ brains. What they found adds to a growing body of knowledge on how adults process written languages.

Props, screenplays, script notes and more — Pitt now has more than 50 years’ worth of items from George A. Romero, the filmmaker who revolutionized the horror genre, beginning with “Night of the Living Dead.” The new collection marks a growth in horror studies resources available to scholars and the public.

The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance honored Pitt with top rankings, and 2017 brought important rankings from additional national organizations.

Britt Baker has won several wrestling championships. But this spring, she expects to claim an even bigger title: doctor of dental medicine. See her interview on "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" as the show explores eclectic corners of Pittsburgh, airing Oct. 22.

Jesse Irwin (A&S '17) wanted to start a late-night talk show at Pitt. With a student crew and film studies Assistant Professor Robert Clift's support, he made it happen in three months — and snagged an Emmy nod.